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No Regrets
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Asking for a Friend We Didn't Sleep
MARISSAAnnie and Denise were in the kitchen nibbling on a tray of freshly baked cookies that sat between them. It smelled divine in the house, like chocolate, butter and home.“My kingdom for a cookie!” I proclaimed dramatically, hanging my scarf and coat over one of the kitchen stools.Annie laughed, holding out her arms for a hug. I swept her up, spinning her around as I kissed the top of her head. Denise shook her head at us, but giggled as she held up one of their creations. “You don’t need to give us your kingdom for one, but I do want to hear all about your day later on.”As always, my bravado hadn’t fooled Denise. She saw right through my ‘buck up and believe it will be alright’ facade. Setting Annie back down, I swiped the cookie and nodded to Denise. “Fine, but later.”Casting a sidelong glance at Annie, she inclined her head and picked up the tray, wagging her finger at us. “Right then, no more cookies for either of you. You’ll spoil your dinner.”“Yes Mom,” I teased, thank
Asking for a Friend Is This a Date?
LAYTONGetting dressed for dinner with Marissa was more nerve racking than it should have been. I stood in front of my closet, staring at rows of neatly hung suits. They were ordered by how recently I’d worn them, and by color, though they were only gray and black.I liked rotating them, making sure none got more wear than any other. Once they started looking worn, I replaced them. I couldn’t stand the thought of a frayed or discolored collar.The rotation also made it simpler for me to get dressed every morning. I never had to decide on what to wear, the next option was already ready for me. Right there, hanging on the opposite side from where the freshly laundered ones were.Suits hung on one side of my walk-in closet, shirts on the other. There was a little more choice for color on the shirt rail, but not by much.All of these things meant dressing for dinner should have been a no brainer, but it wasn’t. Shrugging out of a white button up shirt, I hung it back up and opted for a bl
Asking for a Friend Captivated
LAYTONI wondered if she would even have noticed my absence. Strangely it felt kind of good that she had. “I had to visit a couple of our sites. I like keeping my finger on the pulse, and seeing the designs come to life.”I didn’t know why I’d added that last sentence. It was out before I could even think much about it, much less stop it. Somehow, I’d felt compelled to add it. It was true, even if the site visits yesterday had largely been more about avoiding any post-sex awkwardness between us.The waiter delivered our drinks, filled our water glasses and took our food order. Marissa leaned forward, tilting her head slightly as she visibly relaxed. “I heard you liked visiting the sites, now I know why. I get it, though. The appeal of seeing what you dreamed up becoming a real part of the skyline must be incredible.”“It is.” I hadn’t expected her to get it so completely, so accurately. Knowing now that she was designer as well, albeit of a different kind, it made sense. I guess I had
Asking for a Friend Not Too Much
MARISSADinner with Layton had surprised me so far. When I got dressed earlier, I was stuck between thinking I might be fired or that he was only in it to get to round two in bed. Or against the wall, in our case.I wasn’t getting that vibe from him at all this evening, though. He seemed to be genuinely interested in just talking to me. Throughout dinner, we’d talked about everything and nothing. There hadn’t been a quiet minute.We kept circling back to design and regrets about my life choices in choosing my current job over designing, but in between we’d discussed everything from the weather to our bucket list of countries to visit.The reason I was surprised was because I hadn’t thought I’d been as attracted to him as a person as I was to his, well, person. He was easy to talk to, a great and interested listener and all round actually more fun to be with than I had expected.For all my suspicions about ulterior motives for his invitation to dinner, he’d been nothing but the perfect
Asking for a Friend Holding You To It
MARISSAWell—I wouldn’t have known what to say to that even if he had hung around to hear my answer. I felt the tops of my cheeks and ears heating.Two conflicting trains of thoughts sped through my brain. Layton Bridges had just told me that he liked me. Okay, he liked that I’d eaten—which, on a side note, seemed like a strange thing to say to someone you’d invited to have dinner. Wasn’t dinner typically a meal where people ate?The point, however, was that he’d said he liked something about me. Which made me strangely happy, if for no other reason than making me feel slightly more secure in my job—after Sexgate the other night and all.The second train barreling through my brain was one carrying a fresh cargo of steaming humiliation. Had I eaten so much that he’d actually noticed? I did a mental check. I was full, but not stuffed. My plate had been cleared, but it wasn’t like I’d gorged myself on a dozen rolls or ordered seconds or something.No. I shut that second train down immedi
Asking for a Friend We're Going
LAYTON“Open up, man. I got news!” Craig hollered from my door, his voice partially drowned out by the pounding he was giving the poor, innocent wooden door that protected me from the world. “Layton, I know you’re in there! Open up.”Of course he knew I was in here. My condo came with two parking spaces and as the only person I trusted with my spare key, Craig’s vehicle details were on the books for the second spot. Right next to mine.Giving Craig my spare set of keys was my only concession in terms of privacy. High up on the twentieth floor, my penthouse apartment had floor to ceiling windows that were mirrored on the outside and a doorman who only let people up who were on your list.My list contained only three names. My dad’s attorney, my assistant’s and Craig’s. Craig was the only person with unfettered access to the place, since he had my key, but he never barged in.He showed up unannounced, as he was doing right that very minute, but at least he didn’t let himself in. I had a
Asking for a Friend A Good Idea
LAYTONCraig reminded me of his presence by clearing his throat loudly. “Earth to Layton. I know you know floor seats don’t mean sitting on the actual floor. Besides, you can either come with me, or I’m giving your number and your spare key to ‘Stalker Sarah.’ Really, you have no choice.”He grinned like the cat who got all the cream, knowing he had me in a corner. Stalker Sarah was harmless, but fucking annoying. I’d gone out on one date with the woman and it had taken me six months to shake her.Eventually, I’d even changed my personal cell number just so I wouldn’t have to deal with her incessant calls. I tried blocking her number first, but the woman either had access to or owned at least ten numbers. It was exhausting.“You wouldn’t do that,” I said to Craig, who shrugged.“You don’t know how badly I want to go to this game,” he replied, pulling out his phone and scrolling. “Let’s see, I think I have her number here somewhere.”I doubted he would really do it, but I threw my palm
Asking for a Friend Find Your Passion
MARISSA“Mommy, why are you cutting it like that?” Annie leaned over our dining room table where I was working on a dress. She stretched the red material between her little fingers, stroking it while she watched me work.I finished slicing through the fabric that was later going to form part of the skirt and set it aside, talking to Annie as I rotated the remaining material on the table. “If I cut it like this and add a few more panels, the skirt will flare.”Annie nodded dutifully, as if she were taking a class in dressmaking. I pushed my tool box containing buttons and sequins and other shiny things at her. “Why don’t you sift through those and take out a few options for us to decorate the bodice with?”Eyes lighting up with excitement, she started taking out the different plastic levels in the box and spread them out in front of her. “I love doing this stuff with you, Mommy.”“What stuff?” I asked, pausing for a moment to take in the contented expression on her gorgeous face as she
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